The Perth Crown gaming establishment in Western Australia has suffered a major setback. The state’s Commission for Gaming and Wagering (GWC) has prohibited them from participating in junket activities, effectively severing their access to the profitable high-stakes gambling market.

Crown Resorts, the parent corporation, acknowledged this development in an announcement, emphasizing that the prohibition was enacted under the Casino Control Act of 1984. This signifies that Crown Perth is no longer permitted to provide “commission-based gaming” to international high-stakes gamblers, impacting a substantial income source.

This action by the GWC comes shortly after the Victorian government’s decision to initiate a Royal Commission investigation into Crown Resorts. This inquiry will examine Crown’s eligibility to retain a casino license in Melbourne, further intensifying the scrutiny the company is facing.

Crown Resorts Chair, Helen Coonan, expressed her support for the investigation and underscored the organization’s full commitment to transparency. She conveyed that the Victorian administration’s declaration offers Crown a platform to elaborate on the implemented enhancements and programs designed to reach peak levels of ethical conduct and regulatory adherence, along with fostering a workplace ethos aligned with public anticipations.

## ComeOn Group Announces Key Leadership Changes with Dual Appointments

ComeOn Group is making waves with two strategic personnel additions. Seasoned industry professional Aaron Lowe joins the company as Casino Director, leveraging his vast experience from his prior position as Head of International Gaming at Mr Green (a William Hill subsidiary). Lowe will manage all aspects of casino operations across ComeOn’s portfolio of brands and markets, reporting directly to Chief Product Officer, Cristiano Blanco.

Blanco conveyed his excitement regarding Lowe’s addition, noting that his appointment coincides with a crucial juncture. ComeOn is aggressively pursuing its growth plan, and Lowe is ideally suited to elevate their casino offerings. He possesses a wealth of expertise and a demonstrable history of achievement, coupled with contagious enthusiasm and groundbreaking concepts that will undoubtedly benefit both the organization and its clientele.

Jonathan West assumes the mantle of Sportsbook Director, transitioning from a successful tenure as Director of Sportsbook at Casumo. Similar to Lowe, West will report to Blanco, who underscored the importance of sports wagering as a primary catalyst for ComeOn’s expansion strategy. He expressed assurance in West’s capability to guide the sportsbook division into a prosperous new chapter.

Jonathan possesses extensive expertise in product development, negotiation, and successful proposal execution. He brings this wealth of knowledge to our sports betting platform, and we are certain he will achieve exceptional results.

The renowned Churchill Downs Incorporated is broadening its horizons within Kentucky. They recently acquired property to the east of Owensboro in Daviess County, aiming to construct a novel amusement center showcasing Historical Horse Racing devices.

This fresh establishment will complement their current Ellis Park Racing & Gaming site in Henderson, Kentucky, which they procured in 2022. The income produced from this new venture will directly bolster the equine racing activities at Ellis Park.

Churchill Downs expresses enthusiasm in expanding upon the century-old tradition of racing at Ellis Park, affectionately dubbed the “Pea Patch,” and in contributing to the financial prosperity of the area. They intend to disclose further particulars regarding the development, encompassing the precise location and investment strategies, in the approaching months.

This proclamation follows Churchill Downs’ resolution to briefly pause live racing events at Ellis Park from June 7th to July 3rd, 2023.

The renowned Churchill Downs racetrack, known for hosting the Kentucky Derby, has recently come under fire and sorrow following a string of equine fatalities that marred the iconic venue. Despite the heartbreaking demise of a dozen horses, Churchill Downs, along with its wagering associate, TwinSpires, proceeded to disclose the betting statistics for the month of May.

A Malta-based gaming company, Catena Media, is making a significant play in the sports wagering arena by purchasing Baybets Ltd., a German sportsbook, for a substantial €26.5 million.

The agreement consists of an initial payment of €13.25 million in cash and an equivalent amount in newly minted Catena Media stock. However, there’s more! Contingent on Baybets’ performance over the subsequent two years, Catena Media might disburse an extra €6.5 million, potentially elevating the total sum to a considerable €33 million.

What is Catena Media receiving in return for its investment? Baybets is no minor player, generating an estimated €22.5 million in quarterly revenue with a healthy 70% profit margin. This acquisition is poised to bolster Catena’s current sports betting segment, with all 23 Baybets staff members joining the ranks.

Henrik Persson Ekdahl, Catena Media’s interim CEO, is evidently enthusiastic about the transaction, referring to it as their most substantial acquisition to date and a crucial stride towards becoming a leading power in the sports wagering sector. With the Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup approaching in 2018, the timing couldn’t be more opportune for Catena Media to intensify its sports betting aspirations.

A German sports betting partner, Baybets, has been purchased by Catena Media. The company manages more than 50 webpages, with major sites like sportwetten.org and sportwette.net, concentrating on the German-speaking (DACH) area.

Baybets CEO, Jan Steffen, thanked the staff for their role in the company’s achievements and conveyed his excitement about the merger, saying, “We anticipate a lasting collaboration with Catena Media, enabling us to grow further operationally and as investors. We are thrilled about the possibilities this presents.”

Caesar Entertainment Interactive (CIE) has reached an agreement to divest its social gaming division, Playtika, for an impressive $4.4 billion. The acquiring entity? A syndicate supported by a branch of Shanghai Giant Network Technology, a prominent force in the online gaming realm. This transaction follows rumors of CIE investigating a sale for approximately $4 billion. Significant attention arose from entities like Giant and others, as per reports from publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. The prosperity of Playtika, particularly its mobile game offerings, served as a major attraction for prospective purchasers. During the initial quarter of 2016 alone, CIE experienced a 29% surge in its net revenue (reaching $228 million), largely attributed to the expanding user base engaging in their social and mobile games on a monthly basis. It is noteworthy that CIE will retain ownership of its World Series of Poker trademark and its real-money online gaming operations – these components are excluded from this agreement. This entire process commenced back in 2011 when Harrah’s (which subsequently transformed into Caesars Entertainment) procured a controlling interest in Playtika and progressively acquired the remaining shares. Presently, with the anticipation of the deal’s finalization later in 2016, Playtika will persist in its operations from its headquarters situated in Israel, albeit under new management.

Playtika has achieved remarkable feats,” commented Robert Antokol, its originator and head. He ascribed the company’s triumphs to its gifted personnel, robust workplace atmosphere, advanced data analytics skills, and distinct strategy for obtaining and expanding games.

Mitch Garber, Chief Executive of Caesars Interactive Entertainment (CIE), has participated in Playtika’s path since CIE purchased the company in 2011. He contemplated observing Playtika evolve from a modest startup with a few workers to a worldwide frontrunner in the gaming sector. “Currently,” he declared, “Playtika is a highly lucrative and swiftly expanding enterprise with a collection of successful games, countless daily players, and over 1300 staff members.” Garber commended Antokol as a visionary leader in the Israeli business realm, recognizing not only the impressive organization he constructed but also the exceptional and encouraging company culture he nurtured.

Caesars Entertainment will be unveiling its second-quarter fiscal outcomes for 2016 on Tuesday.

Bragg Gaming Group’s subsidiary, ORYX Gaming, has broadened its Caribbean presence through a collaboration with the Bahamas’ largest operator, Island Luck. This agreement provides Island Luck with access to ORYX’s extensive catalog of exclusive iGaming content, encompassing titles created by ORYX’s internal studios and games from prominent third-party vendors.

This introduction is particularly noteworthy as it signifies Bragg’s entrance into the regulated Bahamas market, serving as a foundation for further regional growth. The smooth integration with Island Luck underscores the adaptability of ORYX’s RGS platform and the allure of its diverse gaming collection. Bragg is actively seeking agreements with other Bahamian operators to widen its market penetration.

Founded in 2009 and licensed by the Gaming Board, Island Luck is a well-known entity in the Bahamas, providing online sports wagering, casino games, and lottery services throughout the islands.

Considering the parallels between the Bahamian player demographic and those in the US and Canada, Bragg views this as a calculated maneuver. Having obtained a license in Ontario and with applications underway in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, Bragg is strategically positioned for substantial expansion in North America in the latter part of this year.

Chris Looney, Bragg’s Head of Commercial Operations, expressed his enthusiasm:

“As soon as we received regulatory approval, our games went live in the Bahamas. It was an exceptional collaborative achievement that truly demonstrates our ability to introduce our RGS platform to fresh and captivating markets. Evidently, there’s a significant demand for the caliber of premium games we provide.”

He elaborated, “Island Luck has been an outstanding collaborator. They possess a deep understanding of the local market and have cultivated a dedicated and expanding customer base. This launch represents merely the commencement of what we anticipate to be an enduring and prosperous partnership, and we are fully dedicated to establishing ourselves as the premier content supplier in the Bahamas.”

Cézár Veres, Chief Business Development Officer at Island Luck, remarked:

“ORYX securing approval in the Bahamas was a significant development, and we immediately recognized our desire to collaborate with them and introduce their games to our player community. Their portfolio is genuinely remarkable – a diverse collection of high-quality games from some of the most esteemed studios in the industry. Integrating their content into our platform enhances our offerings and solidifies our standing as the preferred destination for players in the Bahamas.”

BMM Testlabs has elevated two directors to Vice President roles within its Australian branches.

Thiru Nadesapillai has been designated Vice President of Gaming Machine Service Provision, while Kethish Namasivayam assumes the position of Vice President of Systems Service Provision. Both will answer to Anna Fernando, Senior Vice President of Operations, Asia Pacific.

“I am pleased to declare the advancements of Thiru and Kethish, both of whom have been exceptional leaders within BMM’s Australian technical service groups for numerous years,” stated Kirk White, Executive Vice President & General Manager, APAC & Africa. “They shine in their capacities as regional technical specialists and furnish outstanding assistance to both our personnel and our clientele across the Asia Pacific territory.”

“Thiru and Kethish are profoundly dedicated to client support, providing unparalleled in-house evaluation excellence and robust process effectiveness, guaranteeing BMM remains the preferred testing facility throughout the APAC area.”

Nadesapillai joined BMM in 1999 and has spearheaded the company’s technical provision team in Melbourne for many years. Commenting on his new capacity, he remarked: “I am presently accountable for overseeing BMM Australia’s gaming machine framework and game evaluation for the Australian, Asian, and global markets.

“I am privileged to be backed by a seasoned leadership collective that permits me to concentrate on comprehensive product ideas, evaluation approaches, and overall enhancements.”

Im incredibly honored to be a member of this exceptional team at BMM. We’re a worldwide network, collaboratively striving to assist our customers in achieving certification and market launch for their products.”

Joining BMM in 2022, Namasivayam, head of the service delivery team in Sydney, remarked, “Being part of this skilled group in Australia has been wonderful, and witnessing BMM’s expansion over time to serve clients globally has been thrilling.

“Despite the difficulties encountered by the Asia-Pacific gaming sector during the pandemic, our team here has sustained its prosperity. I eagerly anticipate guiding my team as we persist in providing outstanding service to BMM’s clientele and contributing to the growth of our international enterprise.”

A well-known game creator, BGaming, has teamed up with Solbet, a big name in Latin American gaming, to share its games with more players in the area.

This agreement means Solbet, part of the Dreams Group, will now feature BGaming’s complete collection of games, including favorites like Space XY and Aztec Magic Bonanza. Imagine colorful, thrilling slots that players in the region are bound to enjoy! They’ll also find classic table games like blackjack and roulette.

But it’s not only about current games. Both companies are eager to work together on special games made just for Solbet players, adding a special element to the partnership.

Juan Pablo Uribe, who heads business growth at Solbet, is clearly pleased with the agreement, stating that BGaming is a crucial partner for them. With Solbet’s presence across 17 different markets in Latin America, this collaboration is a major victory for BGaming.

This isn’t BGaming’s first venture into Latin America. They’ve been gradually increasing their footprint, and this recent partnership demonstrates their dedication to delivering high-quality gaming experiences to players in this dynamic and expanding market.

Establishing a presence in this area hinges significantly on obtaining Solbet’s confidence,” the [spokesperson’s name] noted. “It’s a vital collaboration for our company.”

This news follows closely on BGaming’s introduction of their cutting-edge data compression method, engineered to accelerate game loading times.

A Danish firm specializing in sports wagering and online gaming, Better Collective, has broadened its reach within the German market through the purchase of SportFreunde Informationdienste. Although the financial specifics are not public, this calculated action gives Better Collective control of well-known platforms such as wettfreunde.net, sportswettentest.net, and fussballportal.de.

This acquisition is consistent with Better Collective’s continuing objective to strengthen its standing as a top affiliate in the sector. The company sees SportFreunde’s solid track record of providing comprehensive content to German speakers as a significant advantage. Better Collective, recognized for its own collection of thriving platforms like bettingexpert.com and SmartBets, intends to utilize SportFreunde’s methodology to connect with a larger demographic.

Heinz Patzelt, SportFreunde’s head executive, conveyed his deep satisfaction with the company’s accomplishments and their enthusiasm for becoming a part of the Better Collective group. He is confident that this collaboration will broaden SportFreunde’s impact by incorporating their material into Better Collective’s well-established worldwide network.

Although encountering some technological obstacles, BetMGM UK experienced a triumphant premiere at the Cheltenham Festival, even ascending the rankings of complimentary athletic applications on iPhones within the United Kingdom.

Considerable enthusiasm surrounded the introduction, with Chris Welch, Chief Revenue Officer at LeoVegas Group (BetMGM’s parent organization), enthusiastically disseminating the information on LinkedIn. Nevertheless, the exhilaration encountered some discontent as patrons encountered technological malfunctions leading up to the occasion. These hiccups prompted postponements in handling wagers and other dealings. While BetMGM UK guaranteed patrons that all wagers and dealings would be fulfilled, certain clients were justifiably disgruntled.

Ultimately, BetMGM UK managed to surmount these preliminary technological complications. Welch lauded the company’s accomplishment of attaining a leading position among no-cost athletic applications on iPhones within the UK.

“With the Cheltenham Gold Cup rapidly approaching,” Welch declared, “a heartfelt appreciation to everyone at LeoVegas Group who has diligently labored to accommodate the substantial surge in demand throughout the festival and assist our numerous fresh participants. As a nascent enterprise, we won’t invariably execute everything flawlessly, but we shall perpetually acquire knowledge and persist in contending within this fiercely competitive arena. We eagerly anticipate observing our brand displayed across our inaugural Cheltenham as sponsors.”

This triumph trails BetMGM’s collaboration with The Jockey Club earlier this month, sponsoring the County Hurdle race on Cheltenham Festival’s Gold Cup Day. The enterprise is supported by MGM Resorts and has collaborated with other prominent entities like LeoVegas and even comedic performer Chris Rock.

A representative for BetMGM.